Aquapac

ABSTRACT

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for shipping flowers that provides moisture and nutrients to the flowers during shipping which significantly increases their life expectancy provides protection to the fragile stem ends.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for shipping flowersthat provides moisture and nutrients to the flowers during shippingwhich significantly increases their life expectancy and a method ofusing same.

2. Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,059 Moore 1971 disclosed a block of absorbent floralfoam enclosed in a cardboard box with a large opening at the top whichis covered by a thin, flower stem penetrable plastic film. The foam issoaked in water and flower stems are individually punched through theplastic film and buried into the water soaked foam. This system is proneto leakage and is limited in that the flowers must be individuallyinserted, the boxes and film are expensive to make and time consuming touse and the foam dries up over time.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,915 Harris 1992 aftempts to resolve these problemsby providing a water filled or a water soaked floral foam filledcontainer with cut flower stems inserted and a rigid, non-absorbent,foamed in-place block of material to seal the moisture in the bottomsection and provide support to the cut flower stems. This system is alsorelatively expensive and time consuming.

2005/0138862 O'Conner 2005 discloses another approach to solve theproblem of moisture leaking from a water well with flower stems insertedby providing a foam block with openings through it, slightly larger thanthe flower stems in question inserted, in a flexible ring above watersurface. After the flower stems are individually inserted into theirindividual channels the ring is radially compressed, sealing each stemin its own passageway. Again this is a time consuming and expensivesystem to utilize.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,475 Weder et al. 1994 discloses a simpler lessexpensive system by providing a sheet of moisture absorbing andreleasing material to be soaked in water and wrapped around a group ofcut flower stems and secured with a rubber band. This product oftenallows the flower stems in the center a bundle to be out of contact withthe moisture-carrying sheet of material or crushed by rough handling orpacking and allows the onset of stenosis before the flowers aredelivered.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a leak free apparatusand a method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of thestems of flower bundles during shipping.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a leak freeapparatus and a method of using same for providing moisture at the cutend of the stems of flower bundles during shipping which allows a singleflower stem or the full bundle to be entered into the moisture carryingmedium with just one insertion.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method ofusing same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flowerbundles during shipping wherein the moisture carrying medium is encasedon all sides and the perimeter of the bottom with an impervious barrier,leaving the top surface open for floral insertion and the center of thebottom surface open for excess moisture drainage before bagging.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method ofusing same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flowerbundles during shipping wherein various sizes and shapes of moisturecarrying medium apparatus are provided for different size and groupingsof cut flowers.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method ofusing same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flowerbundles during shipping wherein the flower stems are inserted into themoisture carrier medium and soaked in water until moisture carriermedium is saturated and flower stems have absorbed as much moisture asthey can, and packaged for shipping in an economic and efficientprocess.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method ofusing same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flowerbundles during shipping wherein the moisture carrying medium is highlycompressible or compatible, reducing landfill disposal requirements.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method ofusing same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flowerbundles during shipping wherein the cut ends of the flower stems to beshipped are protected from bruising or crushing that would block theflow of moisture into the cut ends of the stems.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method ofusing same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flowerbundles during shipping wherein the moisture carrying medium is notcrushed by insertion of the cut flower stems either by providingclearance wells or by giving the displaced material room to move andfloral foam block stability is enhanced by the banding effect ofshrink-wrapping the perimeter walls.

The present invention, in its several embodiments, meets the abovementioned objectives.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. Inthe description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings whichform a part thereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration,four specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Theseembodiments will be subscribed in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice this invention, and be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may bemade without departing from the scope of the invention. In theaccompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views.

DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more fully understood it will now bedescribed by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingexemplary drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a foam cylindrical block.

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a sleeve type shrink-wrappedcylindrical block of floral foam with no overlap on top.

FIG. 1B is a bottom perspective view of a sleeve type shrink-wrappedcylindrical block of floral foam with no overlap on Bottom.

FIG. 1C is a top perspective view of a sleeve type shrink-wrappedcylindrical block of floral foam with an overlap on top.

FIG. 1D is a bottom perspective view of a sleeve type shrink-wrappedcylindrical block of floral foam with an overlap on bottom.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a foam cubical Block.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a twice-required length cylindricalblock of floral foam.

FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of a shrink-wrapped twice-requiredlength cylindrical block of floral foam.

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foamcylindrical block severed into two equal parts.

FIG. 3C is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foamcylindrical block severed into two equal parts with drain holes in thebottom of the shrink-wrap material.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a twice-required length rectangularblock of floral foam.

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of a shrink-wrapped twice-requiredlength rectangular block of floral foam.

FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foamrectangular block severed into two equal parts.

FIG. 4C is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foamrectangular block severed into two equal parts with drain holes in thebottom of the shrink-wrap material.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a foam cylindrical block with flowerstems inserted.

FIG.6 is a front view of a foam block with flower stems inserted beingsoaked in moisture loading tank.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a soaked foam cylindrical block withflower stems inserted in a plastic bag, ready for shipment.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a cubical plastic case with livinghinge snap-seal lid, open with a cubical block of floral foam inserted.

FIG. 8 b is a perspective view of a cubical plastic case with livinghinge snap sealed lid closed, with a cubical block of floral foaminserted.

FIG. 8C is an enlarged partial section view showing the snap details onthe inside edge of the lid and mating detail on the outside of theplastic case.

FIG. 8D is a bottom perspective view of a cubical plastic case with acubical block of floral foam inserted without a drain hole.

FIG. 8E is a bottom perspective view of a cubical plastic case with acubical block of floral foam inserted with a drain hole.

FIG. 8F is a top perspective view of a cubical plastic case with acubical block of floral foam with a pattern of stem wells inserted.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a cylindrical plastic case with aclosed snap sealed lid with a cylindrical block of floral foam inserted.

FIG. 9B is bottom perspective view of a cylindrical plastic case with aclosed snap sealed lid with a cylindrical block of floral foam insertedwith a drain hole in the bottom surface.

FIG. 9C is a perspective view of a cylindrical plastic case with aclosed snap sealed lid with a cylindrical block of floral foam with apattern of stem wells inserted.

FIG. 10A is a top perspective view showing a cylindrical block of floralfoam with stem wells.

FIG. 10B is a front perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foamcylindrical block with a pattern of stem wells.

FIG. 10C is a front perspective view of a sleeve type shrink-wrappedcylindrical block of floral foam with a pattern of stem wells.

FIG. 11A is a front perspective view showing a cubical block of floralfoam with stem wells.

FIG. 11B is a front perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foam cubicalblock with a pattern of stem wells.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

The same reference numbers are used to refer to the same or similarparts in the various views.

-   12—Aquapac System-   14—cylindrical floral foam block-   15—cylindrical floral foam block with stem wells-   16—cubical floral foam block-   17—cubical floral foam block with stem wells-   18—twice-required length cylindrical foam block-   19—Plastic shrink-wrap-   20—twice-required length rectangular foam block-   21—Plastic sleeve shrink-wrap-   22—cut flower stems-   24—plastic bag-   26—bag top fasteners-   28—soak tank-   30—foam block top surface-   32—foam block bottom surface-   34—foam block perimeter wall-   36—flower bundle-   38—preservative packets-   40—preservative solution-   42—living hinges-   44—lid snap-latch bead-   46—case snap-latch bead-   48—lid-   50—cylindrical plastic case-   52—individual stem wells-   53—cubical plastic case-   54—cubical plastic case with hinged snap-sealed lid-   56—shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical floral foam block-   58—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical floral    foam block-   60—shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular floral foam block-   62—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular floral    foam block-   64—cubical plastic case assembly-   66—cylindrical plastic case assembly-   68—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical floral    foam block with stem wells-   70—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular foam    block with stem wells-   72—cylindrical plastic case assembly with stem wells-   74—cubical plastic assembly with stem wells-   76—excess water drain hole-   78—sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical foam block with top overlap-   80—sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical foam block with bottom overlap-   82—sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical foam block with no top overlap-   84—sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical foam block with stem wells with    no bottom overlap-   86—cubical plastic case assembly with drain hole-   88—cylindrical plastic case with drain hole-   90—cylindrical plastic case assembly with drain hole-   92—cylindrical block of floral foam sleeve shrink-wrapped with stem    wells-   94—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical floral    foam block with drain hole-   96—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular floral    floral foam block with drain hole

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Four embodiments of Aquapac 12 will now be described, by way of example,with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1 through 11B.

The first preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 5-7. FIGS.1 and 2 show floral foam blocks 14 and 16 in cylindrical and cubicshapes respectively. Floral foam blocks 14 and 16 can be cut from anextruded block of fine open cell floral foam such AQUAFOAM® fromSyndicate Sales, Inc. in various predetermined diameter or diagonaldimensions. Blocks 14 and 16 are sized to have sufficientcross-sectional areas to receive cut flower stems 22 of the desired sizeshipping flower bundle 36. They also are sized to contain sufficientmoisture carrying capabilities to provide the moisture and or nutrientsrequired allowing flower bundles 36 to arrive at their destinations in ahydrated state. Blocks made from this material crush to a powder form,dramatically reducing landfill disposal requirements.

Operation:

Foam blocks 14 and 16, plastic bags 24, preservative packets 38 and bagtop fasteners 26 are delivered to florist or wholesaler for use inpacking flowers, maximizing their life expectancy.

Cut flower stems 22 are inserted through foam block top surface 30, asshown in FIG. 5, and buried in floral foam block 14 and 16.

Flower bundles 36 with their cut stems 22 buried in floral foam blocks14 and 16, as shown in FIG. 5, are then submersed in soak tank 28. FIG.6 shows a front view of same. Floral foam blocks 14 and 16 with cutstems 22 inserted are left in soak tank 28 a sufficient time for floralfoam bock 14 and 16 to become saturated and for cut flower stems 22 tobecome as fully hydrated as possible. Typically this occurs overnightbut would vary with different size bundles and different species offlowers. Soak tank 28 is preferably filled with preservative solution40. Solution 40 can be of cool water or a mixture of water, nutrientsand preservatives.

FIG. 7 shows saturated block 14 or 16 with cut flower stems 22 inserted,placed into plastic bag 24 with several preservative packets 38 wrappedaround the top of the bag and secured by bag top fasteners 26 such aswire ties or rubber bands. Bag top fasteners 26 hold preservativepackets 38 in place. They also seal the top opening of plastic bag 24tight enough to flower stems 22 to prevent leakage or evaporation of theneeded moisture, but not so tight as to collapse the moisture carryingcapillaries in cut flower stems 22. The hydrated bouquet in Aquapac 12package is then placed in a shipping container, not shown or part ofthis invention.

The second preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, 3-3C and 4-4Cand is processed in the same manner as the first embodiment above exceptit provides another step in evaporation prevention. FIGS. 3 and 4 showfloral foam blocks 18 and 20 in cylindrical and rectangular formsrespectively that are twice as long as required. Floral foam blocks 18and 20 are then shrink-wrapped using conventional total enclosureshrink-wrap materials 19 and processes; or are shrink-wrapped utilizingthe conventional sleeve type of shrink-wrapping materials 21 andprocesses.

The conventional shrink-wrapping process creates shrink-wrappedtwice-length cylindrical floral foam block 56 and shrink-wrappedtwice-length rectangular floral foam block 60 respectively as shown inFIGS. 3A and 4A. These shrink-wrapped floral foam block assemblies 56and 60 are then severed into two approximately equal length cylindricalsegments 58 and cubical segments 62 respectively as shown in FIGS. 3Band 4B. This operation leaves foam block bottom surface 32 and foamblock perimeter walls 34 impervious to moisture and foam block topsurface 30 open for insertion of cut flower stems 22. Shrink-wrapmaterials 19 on the bottom and perimeter walls 32 and 34 reduce exposedsurface area and proportionally reduce evaporation of absorbed moisture.FIGS. 3C and 4C show drain hole 76 may be cut in the bottom ofshrink-wrap material 19 of severed segments 94 and 96 to allow anyexcess preservative solution 40 to drain from foam before it is placedin plastic bag 24 and sealed with bag top fasteners 26.

A sleeve type shrink-wrapping process option eliminates the severingoperation and drain hole 76 cutting process steps by using a cylindricalsleeve of shrink-wrap material 21 that may be sized to shrink to theexact length of the cylindrical foam block 14 used or slightly longerthan cylindrical floral foam block 14 that is being encased. The excessmaterial can be wrapped either on top or under cylindrical floral foamblock 14 or some overlap allowed on both top and bottom surfaces 30 and32 respectively as is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and 10C.

Operation:

Shrink-wrapped foam segments 58, 62, 78, 80, 82, 84, 94 and 96, plasticbags 24, preservative packets 38 and bag top fasteners 26 are deliveredto florist or wholesaler for use in packaging flowers, maximizing theirlife expectancy.

The process of floral insertion, soaking and bagging is then the same asin embodiment one above.

The third embodiment replaces the shrink-wrap encasements 58, 62, 78,80, 82, 84, 94 and 96 from embodiment two above with cylindrical plasticcases 50 and 88 with drain hole 76 or cubical plastic cases 53, 54 or 86with drain hole 76, with snap-on lids 48 with openings through which toinsert cut flower stems 22 as shown in FIGS. 8A-E and 9A and 9B. In thisembodiment, floral foam blocks 14 and 16 are inserted into plastic cases50 and 86, or 53, 54 and 88 respectively and lids 48 are snapped intoplace, forming cubical plastic case assemblies 64, 74 and 86 andcylindrical plastic case assemblies 66, 72 and 90. A preferred snapdetail is shown in the enlarged cross section view of FIG. 8C where bead46 runs around the outside of perimeter walls 34 close to the top of thecase. An overlapping or snap-over bead 44 is located on the insidebottom edge of lids 48. Either cylindrical case 50 and 88, or cubicalcases 53, 54 and 86 can be easily molded with lids 48 attached to casewalls 34 with living hinges 42 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B or withseparate lids 48 as shown in FIGS. 8D-F and 9A-C and any of the standardplastic case lid fasteners would suffice.

Operation:

Plastic case assemblies 64, 66, 72, 74, and 86, plastic bags 24,preservative packets 38 and bag top fasteners 26 are delivered toflorist or wholesaler for use in packaging flowers, maximizing theirlife expectancy.

Bundles of cut flower stems 20 are then inserted though the openings inlids 48 and buried in foam blocks 14 and 16. The process of soaking andbagging is then the same as in embodiments one and two above. Theadditional rigidity of plastic cases 50 and 86, or 53, 54 and 88provides an extra measure of crush and or bruise protection to therelatively fragile cut ends of the flower stems 22 which must remainopen to allow moisture flow into stems 22.

The fourth embodiment entails adding stem wells 52 into the floral foamblocks to minimize crushing of the foam material from flower steminsertion as illustrated in FIGS. 8F, 9C, 10A-10C and 11A and 11B.

Addition of stem wells 52 in floral foam blocks 15 and 17 is shown inFIGS. 10A and 11A respectively. Stem wells 52 provide clearance forstems 22, maximizing the moisture absorption capability of these foamblocks by reducing the crushing of the floral foam from forcing flowerstems 22 into solid floral foam blocks. This modification entailsforming stem wells 52 in a pattern to fit the size and number of stems22 in the intended bundle 36 to be shipped. Stem wells 52 are preferablyformed starting at top surface 30 and progressing to a depth ofapproximately one half of perimeter wall 34 length. Stem wells 52preferably have an appropriate diameter such that the stem 22 wallsremain in contact with the moisture bearing floral foam. The pattern ofstem wells 52 needs to be such as to keep an inscribed annular ring ofapproximately 2 cm. in width clear of any stem wells 52 to maintainstability of foam blocks 15 and 17. Although stem wells 52 can be sizedto provide a light slip fit to individual stems 22, they also canprovide for an easier insertion into the dry foam of a bundle of flowerstems by giving the displaced foam from stem insertion a place to movewithout crushing.

FIGS. 10B, 10C and 11B show similar modifications to shrink-wrappedcylindrical floral foam block with stem wells 68, to shrink-wrappedcubical floral foam block with stem wells 70, and to sleeveshrink-wrapped cylindrical floral foam block with stem wells 92 thatprovide similar crush reduction and moisture absorption improvements.

FIGS. 8F and 9C show case assemblies 74 and 72 with similar patterns ofstem wells 52. Sufficient clearance between the outboard tangents of thewell diameter and the I.D. of the lid 48 opening are required to keepflower stems 22 from riding on the plastic lid 48 edge. FIGS. 8E-F showsoptional cubical case design 53 without living hinges 42.

Operation:

Foam blocks 15 and 17, shrink-wrapped foam segments 68, 70, 92, 94, and96, plastic case assemblies 72, 74, 86 and 90, plastic bags 24,preservative packets 38 and bag top fasteners 26 are delivered toflorist or wholesaler for use in packaging flowers, maximizing theirlife expectancy.

This embodiment with the individual stem well 52 patterns requires alittle more care in the insertion of stems 22 into wells 52 but providesmore beneficial contact between the stem 22 walls and the moisturebearing floral foam when individual stems 22 are inserted into theindividual stem wells 52. The ease of insertion of an entire bundle ofstems 22 is also enhanced even if the stems 22 do not fit into wells 52because the foam material displaced by the penetrating flower stems 22has a space in which to relocate provided by the stem wells 52. Afterflower stem 22 insertions, the rest of the soaking, bagging and shippingprocess is the same as in previously described embodiments.

While this invention has been described with reference to fourillustrative embodiments, it will be understood that this description isnot limiting as to size, scale or construction materials. Rather, thescope of this invention is defined by the following claims.

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cutstems that provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems duringshipping comprised of: a floral foam block with a top surface, a bottomsurface, perimeter walls and a volume of moisture absorbing fine cellfloral foam chosen from a group consisting of cubical and cylindricalblocks; said top surface has sufficient cross sectional area as toreceive all said cut flower stems of said bundle of flowers; said volumeof fine cell moisture absorbing foam sufficient to provide the requiredmoisture to allow said predetermined size bundle of flowers to surviveits given shipping times and allow said bundle of flowers to arrive attheir destination hydrated; a soak tank wherein said blocks of floralfoam with said cut flower stems inserted into said blocks of floral foamare soaked until said floral foam blocks are saturated and said cutflower stems are fully hydrated in a solution chosen from a group ofplain water, water with floral nutrients, or water with floralpreservatives and nutrients; a plastic bag to enclose said saturatedblock of floral foam with said cut ends of said flower stems inserted; aplurality of packets of floral preservative wrapped around outside oftop of said plastic bag; and a bag top fastener wrapped around top ofsaid bag and preservative packets, securely fastening top of said bagaround said bundle of flower stems and attaching said preservativepackets selected from a group of wire ties, rubber bands or plastic sliplatches, whereby evaporation of said moisture is minimized and cutflowers arrive fresh, healthy and hydrated.
 8. A packing apparatus forbundles of flowers with cut stems that provides moisture to cut ends ofsaid cut stems during shipping as in claim 7 further comprising: stemwells in said floral foam blocks where a pattern of said wells isselected from a group of patterns that match the quantity and diameterof flower stems to be packaged or patterns that provide for minimizedcrushing of said floral foam during insertion when said stems are notaligned with said wells prior to said insertion; said wells are at anapproximate depth from said top surface as approximately one half of thelength of said perimeter walls; and said wells outer wall tangents to besufficiently inboard of said blocks outer walls as to maintain thestability of said foam blocks.
 9. A packing apparatus for bundles offlowers with cut stems that provides moisture to cut ends of said cutstems during shipping comprised of: a floral foam block with a topsurface, a bottom surface, perimeter walls, a volume of moistureabsorbing fine cell floral foam chosen from a group consisting oftwice-required length rectangular and cylindrical blocks and requiredlength cylindrical blocks; said twice-length rectangular and cylindricalfloral foam blocks are shrink wrapped with typical shrink wrap plasticmaterials and processes and severed into two approximately equal lengthshrink-wrapped segments with said severed surface open for flower steminsertion and said bottom surface either having a drainage hole openedin said bottom surface of said shrink-wrap plastic material wherebyexcess preservative solution is allowed to drain prior to baggingoperation or said bottom surface is left sealed whereby evaporation ofabsorbed preservative solution is minimized and floral foam blocks areprotected from breaking and falling away from said flower stems duringinsertion or shipping by the banding effect of said shrink-wrap; saidrequired length cylindrical floral foam blocks are sleeve typeshrink-wrapped with materials that either shrink to the exact height ofsaid required length cylinder of floral foam or overlap either the topand/or bottom of said cylindrical floral foam block leaving said topsurface open for flower stem insertion and said bottom surface openwhereby excess preservative solution is allowed to drain prior tobagging operation and evaporation of absorbed preservative solution isreduced, and floral foam blocks are protected from breaking and fallingaway from said flower stems during insertion or shipping by the bandingeffect of said shrink-wrap; said top surface has sufficientcross-sectional area as to receive all said cut flower stems of saidbundle of flowers; said volume of fine cell moisture absorbing foamsufficient to provide the required moisture to allow said bundle offlowers to survive its given shipping times and allow said bundle offlowers to arrive at their destination hydrated; a soak tank whereinsaid blocks of floral foam with said cut flower stems inserted into saidblocks of floral foam are soaked in a preservative solution until saidfloral foam blocks are saturated and said cut flower stems are fullyhydrated in said preservative solution and any excess moisture isallowed to drain from said saturated blocks of floral foam; saidpreservative solution is chosen from a group of plain water, water withfloral nutrients, or water with floral preservatives and nutrients; aplastic bag to enclose said saturated block of floral foam with said cutends of flower stems inserted; a plurality of packets of floralpreservative wrapped around outside of top of said plastic bag; and abag top fastener wrapped around top of said bag and preservativepackets, securely fastening top of said bag around said bundle of flowerstems and attaching said preservative packets selected from a group ofwire ties, rubber bands or plastic slip latches, whereby evaporation ofsaid moisture is minimized and cut flowers arrive fresh, healthy andhydrated.
 10. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stemsthat provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping asin claim 9 further comprising: stem wells in said floral foam blockswhere a pattern of said wells is selected from a group of patterns thatmatch the quantity and diameter of flower stems to be packaged orpatterns that provide for minimized crushing of said floral foam duringinsertion when said stems are not aligned with said wells prior to saidinsertion; said wells are at an approximate depth from said top surfaceas approximately one half of the length of said perimeter walls; andsaid wells outer wall tangents to be sufficiently inboard of said blocksouter walls as to maintain the stability of said foam blocks.
 11. Apacking apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that providesmoisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping comprised of: afloral foam block with a top surface, a bottom surface, perimeter wallsand a volume of moisture absorbing fine cell floral foam chosen from agroup consisting of cubical and cylindrical blocks; plastic boxes forencasement of said floral foam blocks with snap on lids with openings toallow access to said top surface of said floral foam blocks for said cutstem insertion where said box shapes are selected from the group ofcubic or cylindrical boxes, with and without bottom drains, whereby cutstem ends are protected by said boxes against bruising or crushingduring shipping; said lid openings have sufficient cross sectional areaas to receive all the cut flower stems of said bundle of flowers; saidvolume of fine cell moisture absorbing foam is sufficient to provide therequired moisture to allow said bundle of flowers to survive its givenshipping times and allow said bundle of flowers to arrive at theirdestination hydrated; a soak tank wherein said blocks of floral foamwith said cut flower stems inserted into said blocks of floral foam thatare inserted in said plastic boxes are soaked until said floral foamblocks are saturated and said cut stems are fully hydrated in a solutionchosen from a group of plain water, water with floral nutrients, orwater with floral preservatives and nutrients; a plastic bag to enclosesaid plastic box with said saturated block of floral foam with said cutends of flower stems inserted; a plurality of packets of floralpreservative wrapped around outside of top of said plastic bag; and abag top fastener wrapped around top of said bag and preservativepackets, securely fastening top of said bag around said bundle of flowerstems and attaching said preservative packets selected from a group ofwire ties, rubber bands or plastic slip latches, whereby evaporation ofsaid moisture is minimized and cut flowers arrive fresh, healthy andhydrated.
 12. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stemsthat provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping asin claim 11 further comprising: stem wells in said floral foam blockswhere a pattern of said wells is selected from a group of patterns thatmatch the quantity and diameter of flower stems to be packaged orpatterns that provide for minimized crushing of said floral foam duringinsertion when said stems are not aligned with said wells prior to saidinsertion; said wells are at an approximate depth from said top surfaceas approximately one half of the length of said perimeter walls; andsaid wells outer wall tangents to be sufficiently inboard of said blocksouter walls as to maintain the stability of said foam blocks; and saidwells outer walls to be sufficiently inboard of said blocks outer wallsas avoid said cut flower stems abrasion against said openings in saidplastic lids.